Fall 2012 class celebrates a culmination at nurse pinning

The 57 graduates from Tidewater Community College’s Beazley School of Nursing then celebrated the ultimate achievement: pinning. The nursing pin, fashioned after TCC’s seal, is a reminder of the hard work and sacrifice that the graduates made en route to achieving a major milestone.

“It’s the culmination of a goal,” said graduate Laura Plosay, already employed as a care partner at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. “It’s taken me six years to get here.”

Plosay said she enjoyed bonding with the other nursing students, which included a wide range of ages from teens to students in their 50s.

Class representative Timothy Frost transitioned into nursing after a long career at International Paper. “It’s a great profession, and this has been a long time coming,” he said.

Frost provided the welcome at the 41st Nurse Pinning Ceremony, and TCC President Edna Baehre-Kolovani greeted the fall class of 2012 at the Roper Performing Arts Center, reminding the graduates they have chosen a profession that is among the most admired.

“Our graduates set the example for others with their dedicated service and commitment to quality care,” she said. “We’re proud to see our graduates move into the world and become leaders in the nursing profession.”

Genemarie McGee, chief nursing officer from Sentara Healthcare, was the keynote speaker. McGee stressed the habits of highly effective nurses, ending with the most important: integrity.

Phyllis Eaton, dean of the Beazley School, completed the pinning, and Roberta Bernardini presented the graduates with roses.

Afterward, beaming graduate Quiana Mollison noted, “My hard work has finally paid off. Now I’m on to the next chapter!”